Topic: DRUG CULTURE
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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Origin: | Partly from Old French ligne, from Latin linea, from linum 'flax'; partly from Old English line |
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line1 S1 W1
1 a long thin mark on a piece of paper, the ground, or another surface : 
The edges of the pitch are marked by white lines.The goalkeeper just managed to stop the ball going over the line. He raced towards the finishing line.
on paper/on the ground
[countable]The edges of the pitch are marked by white lines.The goalkeeper just managed to stop the ball going over the line.He raced towards the finishing line.2 an imaginary line on the surface of the earth, for example showing where one country or area of land stops and another begins ➔ International Date Line
between two areas
[countable]3
of people/things
[countable]a) a row of people or things next to each other
b) especially American English a row of people, cars etc that are waiting one behind the other [= queue] British English I looked in despair at the long line in front of the ticket office.
I looked in despair at the long line in front of the ticket office. line of I joined the line of vehicles waiting to get into the car park.
I joined the line of vehicles waiting to get into the car park.4 the direction or imaginary line along which something travels between two places : They knew they needed to block their enemy's supply lines (=direction used for carrying supplies of food etc).
direction
[countable] line of fire/attack/movement etc (=the direction in which someone shoots, attacks, moves etc) I was directly in the animal's line of attack.
I was directly in the animal's line of attack.They knew they needed to block their enemy's supply lines (=direction used for carrying supplies of food etc).5 a line on the skin of someone's face [↪ wrinkle]: No one can avoid lines and wrinkles as they get older.
on your face
[countable]No one can avoid lines and wrinkles as they get older.6 a telephone wire or connection : Henry is on the line (=on the phone) from New York. Do you have a separate line for your modem?
phone
[countable]TCTHenry is on the line (=on the phone) from New York.Do you have a separate line for your modem?7 a track that a train travels along : We were delayed because of a problem further along the line. When you get to central London, take the Victoria Line to Finsbury Park.
for trains
[countable]TTTWe were delayed because of a problem further along the line.When you get to central London, take the Victoria Line to Finsbury Park. railway line BrE; railroad line American English The trail follows a disused railroad line along the edge of the valley.
The trail follows a disused railroad line along the edge of the valley.8 the point at which one type of thing can be considered to be something else or at which it becomes a particular thing
between two types of thing
[countable usually singular] line between Large numbers of families are living on or near the poverty line (=the point at which people are considered to be very poor).
Large numbers of families are living on or near the poverty line (=the point at which people are considered to be very poor).9 the outer shape of something long or tall : She was wearing a loose dress which softened the lines of her body. a modern building with clean, elegant lines.
shape/edge
[countable usually plural]She was wearing a loose dress which softened the lines of her body.a modern building with clean, elegant lines.10
words
[countable]a) a line of written words, for example in a poem or a document : He quoted a few lines from Shakespeare. Scroll down to line 29.
He quoted a few lines from Shakespeare.Scroll down to line 29.b) a remark : He liked to introduce himself with a witty opening line.
He liked to introduce himself with a witty opening line.c) [usually plural] words that someone has to learn and say as part of a play or performance : Paul often messed up his lines.
Paul often messed up his lines.11 an opinion or attitude, especially one that someone states publicly and that influences their actions Journalists are often too willing to accept the official line (=the opinion that a government states officially). He found it hard to accept the party line (=the official opinion of a political party) on every issue.
opinion/attitude
[singular]Journalists are often too willing to accept the official line (=the opinion that a government states officially).He found it hard to accept the party line (=the official opinion of a political party) on every issue.➔ toe the line
at toe212 a particular way of doing something or of thinking about something The company's rapid success means it's definitely on the right lines (=doing something the right way).
way of doing something
[countable] line of argument/reasoning/inquiry etc It seemed useless to pursue this line of questioning. Opposition parties soon realized they would have to try a different line of attack.
It seemed useless to pursue this line of questioning.Opposition parties soon realized they would have to try a different line of attack.The company's rapid success means it's definitely on the right lines (=doing something the right way).13 a series of events that follow each other
series of events
[countable usually singular]14 the edge of an area that is controlled by an army, where soldiers stay and try to prevent their enemy from moving forward : They finally broke through the German line.
in a war
[countable]PMThey finally broke through the German line.15 a series of levels of authority within an organization : Decisions are taken by senior officers and fed down through the line of command to the ordinary soldiers.
in a company/organization
[countable]Decisions are taken by senior officers and fed down through the line of command to the ordinary soldiers.16 a piece of strong string, rope, or wire used for a particular purpose :
of rope/wire
[countable]DHC17 a type of goods for sale in a shop : The company has just launched a new line of small, low-priced computers.
product
[countable]BBTThe company has just launched a new line of small, low-priced computers.19 if people divide along religious, party etc lines they divide according to the religion, political party, or other group they belong to :
along religious/ethnic/party etc lines
20TD
on line
a) using a computer to get information or to communicate with people : You can book tickets on line. Most of our sales staff now work on line. ➔ online
You can book tickets on line.Most of our sales staff now work on line.b) working properly as planned : a new nuclear reactor which should be on line by 2005 If there is a power failure, the emergency generators should come on line within 15 minutes.
a new nuclear reactor which should be on line by 2005If there is a power failure, the emergency generators should come on line within 15 minutes.21 to write a short letter or email to someone : Drop me a line and let me know how you're getting on.
drop somebody a line
informalDrop me a line and let me know how you're getting on.22 used to say that you do not believe someone's excuse : I know for a fact you weren't sick yesterday, so don't give me that line.
don't give me that line
spokenI know for a fact you weren't sick yesterday, so don't give me that line.23 to start to do what someone else wants you to do, or to make someone do this : Now that France and Germany have signed up, other countries will soon fall into line. The few party rebels were soon brought into line.
fall into line/bring somebody into line
informalNow that France and Germany have signed up, other countries will soon fall into line.The few party rebels were soon brought into line.24 if something changes in line with something else, it changes in the same way and at the same rate as it : Pensions will be increased in line with inflation.
in line with something
Pensions will be increased in line with inflation.25 to change a system so that it works according to a particular set of rules, laws etc : UK immigration procedures will have to be changed to bring them into line with the latest European ruling.
bring something into line with something
UK immigration procedures will have to be changed to bring them into line with the latest European ruling.26
be out of line
informala) to say or do something that is not acceptable in a particular situation : You just keep quiet! You're way out of line.
You just keep quiet! You're way out of line.b) to not obey someone, or to do something that you should not do
27 to be very likely to get or be given something : I should be in line for promotion soon.
be in line for something/be in line to do something
I should be in line for promotion soon.28 to be the person who has a right to become a future king or queen : As the oldest son, he was next in line to the throne.
be first/second/next etc in line to the throne
As the oldest son, he was next in line to the throne.29 if something important is on the line, there is a risk that you might lose it or something bad could happen to it : From now on, all our jobs are on the line. She knew that her whole future was on the line.
be on the line
From now on, all our jobs are on the line.She knew that her whole future was on the line. put yourself/your neck on the line (for somebody) (=risk something bad happening to you) I've already put myself on the line for you once, and I'm not going to do it again.
I've already put myself on the line for you once, and I'm not going to do it again.30 to be the type of thing that someone is interested in or good at : Acting's not really in my line, I'm afraid.
be in somebody's line
informalActing's not really in my line, I'm afraid.31 to get information about someone or something : We need to get some kind of a line on these guys.
get a line on somebody/something
informal especially American EnglishWe need to get some kind of a line on these guys.32 at some time during an activity or period of time : Somewhere along the line, Errol seemed to have lost interest in her.
somewhere along the line
informalSomewhere along the line, Errol seemed to have lost interest in her.33 later, after an activity or situation has been continuing for a period of time : There may be more costs further down the line. Now, three years down the line, we're beginning to see the problems with the treatment.
down the line
informalThere may be more costs further down the line.Now, three years down the line, we're beginning to see the problems with the treatment.34 happening or done as part of your job : firefighters dying in the line of duty
in the line of duty
firefighters dying in the line of duty35
be in the firing line/in the line of fire
a) to be one of the people who could be criticized or blamed for something : As one of the President's chief advisers, he's bound to be in the firing line.
As one of the President's chief advisers, he's bound to be in the firing line.b) PM to be in a place where a bullet etc might hit you : A couple of civilians were caught in the firing line.
A couple of civilians were caught in the firing line.36 a punishment given to school children that consists of writing the same thing a lot of times : He got 50 lines for being cheeky to a teacher.
punishment
lines
[plural] British EnglishSESHe got 50 lines for being cheeky to a teacher.37 your family, considered as the people you are related to who lived before you and the people who will live after you : She comes from a long line of actors. It looks as if Joe might be the last of the line (=the last in his family).
family
[singular]She comes from a long line of actors.It looks as if Joe might be the last of the line (=the last in his family). line of succession (=the system by which an important position or property is passed from a parent to their children, and then to their children etc) Henry the Eighth wanted a male heir to ensure the Tudor line of succession.
Henry the Eighth wanted a male heir to ensure the Tudor line of succession.38 the type of work someone does
job
[countable usually singular]39 a company that provides transport for moving goods by sea, air, road etc : He runs a transatlantic shipping line.
transport
[countable]TTHe runs a transatlantic shipping line.40 an amount of an illegal drug in powder form, arranged in a line so it can be breathed in through the nose
